Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Law enforcement officers in Samarkand have arrested a senior specialist of the Inspectorate for Technical Regulation Control under the Cabinet of Ministers on suspicion of accepting a bribe, the State Security Service reported.

According to the investigation, while inspecting a brick factory, the official deliberately exaggerated the number of violations found. He informed the entrepreneur that the factory could face a fine of 226 million UZS for producing and selling substandard products.

At the same time, the official offered to "ease" the results of the inspection and reduce the fine to 25 million UZS in exchange for a bribe of US$3,000. He was caught red-handed in his office while receiving part of the agreed amount — US$2,500.

A criminal case has been opened against the suspect under subparagraph "b" of part 2, Article 210 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Uzbekistan (accepting a bribe). He has been taken into custody and investigative procedures are ongoing.

It is worth recalling that a tax inspector in Uzbekistan was previously sentenced to two years in prison for accepting a US$40 bribe. The convicted official left behind three children.